Dele Alli had a season to forget at Everton and could already be heading out in the summer.

The Nigerian-born midfielder signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Toffees in January from Tottenham on a free transfer.

Tottenham were due a small bonus if Dele completes ten matches for Frank Lampard’s side, but he made nine appearances and was an unused sub in their last three games of the season.

The 39-time England international has not been part of the Three Lions squad since 2019 due to his dip in form.

The heartbroken parents of Alli have revealed their despair at having no part in the superstar’s life.

How Dele Alli rejected Nigeria for England

Alli was born in Milton Keynes, Bucks, in April 1996 just over a year after his parents first met in a nightclub.

At the time Kehinde, originally from Nigeria, was studying for a Masters at De Montfort University.

Kehinde moved to the United States a week after Alli’s birth. Alli was initially brought up by his mother, who suffered from alcohol problems.

A nine-year-old Alli then moved to Nigeria with his father after his parents split up. He spent two years in an international school before returning to Milton Keynes to live with his mother to focus on football.

While in England, Alli moved in with a family of one of his teammates at MK Dons. He refers to them as his ‘adoptive parents’ although he was never legally adopted.

His mum, Denise, told Mirror Sports:

“When he was about 13 Dele began training at MK Dons five days a week. So for convenience, he began staying at his best friend’s house during the week, before coming home on weekends.

It was hard to let him live away from home, but we didn’t have a car and I was finding it hard to get him to training myself.”

Alli’s father and mother revealed details of the breakdown of their relationship with their son Alli.

According to them, Alli gradually began to withdraw from them after signing his professional contract with MK Dons at the age of 16. He last spoke to his mum in 2015.

“He was in great spirits and said, ‘I love you mum’. I had no idea that would be the last time I would see him. It still leaves me shocked,” Denise said about the last time she saw Alli.

Denise added that she tried talking to his son outside Tottenham’s White Hart Lane stadium after a match in 2017. But instead of stopping to speak to her he simply walked to his car.

“I didn’t have a ticket for the game but I went to the ground because I wanted to try and see Dele.

“I waited outside after the match and when Dele came out I quietly said to him. ‘Dele… it’s me… your mum’.

“He didn’t stop. He just looked at me, said he was busy and drove off. I was in tears, it was heartbreaking.”

Delle Alli made it clear from the off that he would pursue his international career with the Three Lions.

Alli progressed through the youth ranks and made several appearances at Under-17 and Under-18 level.

In 2016, the England international changed the name on the back of his shirt because he felt no connection with the ‘Alli’ surname.

He has since decided to stick the name ‘Dele’ on his jersey.

“I wanted a name on my shirt that represented who I am and I feel I have no connection with the Alli surname,” Alli said as quoted by the Sun.

“This is not a decision I have taken without a lot of thought and discussion with family close to me.”

Between, 2015 and 2019, Alli played 39 matches for England, scoring three goals.

In one of the games for the Three lions against Nigeria, Alli was booed by the West African country fans. The loud boos echoed around the Wembley stadium when Alli touched the ball during the World Cup warm-up match.